Color Theory Basics

Color Theory

• Hue: Pure color differentiating one from another (e.g., red vs. blue).
• Intensity: Vividness or brightness of a color.
• Value: Lightness or darkness of a color.
  • Tint: Adding white to a color (highest value).
  • Shade: Adding black to a color (lowest value).
  • Tone: Adding gray to a color (middle value).
• Primary Colors: Red, blue, yellow.
• Secondary Colors: Orange, green, violet.
• Complementary Colors: Colors opposite each other on the color wheel (e.g., red and green).
• Cool Hues: Blue-based colors like blue, violet, and green.
• Warm Hues: Yellow-based colors like red, orange, and peach.
• Skin Complexion Descriptors:
  • Ruddy: Red or flushed appearance.
  • Sallow: Yellowish or pale appearance.
• Best/Worst Colors for Skin Tones:
  • Warm Undertones (Peach/Golden): Peaches, corals, golden browns, rusts.
  • Cool Undertones (Bluish-Pink, Olive): Blues, violets, cherry reds, and fuchsias.
  • Neutral Colors: Suited for almost anyone; not strongly blue or yellow-based.

Preparing the Canvas

• Undertone vs. Overtone:
  • Undertone: Subtle hue under the surface (e.g., warm, cool, neutral).
  • Overtone: Surface skin color that may change with seasons or conditions (e.g., redness, tanning).
• Swatching/Testing Foundation:
  • Best areas for testing: Neck or jawline.
  • Avoid testing on wrists, hands, or forehead.
• Order of Application:
  • Primer/Moisturizer.
  • Skin Tone Correctors (optional).
  • Foundation.
  • Concealer (before or after foundation).
  • Powder.
• Objectives of Foundation:
  • Protect the skin (often contains sunscreen).
  • Even out skin tone.
  • Hide imperfections.

Skin Tone Correctors

• Green: Cancels redness (e.g., acne or rosacea).
• Lavender: Neutralizes sallowness.
• Yellow/Orange: Corrects blue or greenish under-eye darkness.
• Pink: Brightens dull complexions.

Concealers

• Higher pigment concentration than foundation.
• Available in various types (pot, stick, tube).
• Uses: Hiding dark circles, scars, pigmentation, and skin conditions.

Contouring & Highlighting

• Main Objectives:
  • Highlighting (Matte or iridescent): Brings features forward.
  • Contouring (Matte only): Pushes areas back to create depth.
  • Sculpting: Combination of both highlighting and contouring.
• Common Uses: Correcting facial proportions, enhancing natural bone structure.

Bones of the Face & Corrective Techniques

• Facial Bone Structure:
  • Face is composed of 14 bones.
  • 13 bones are interconnected, preventing movement between them.
• Key Facial Bones:
  • Zygomatic (Cheekbones): Key for contouring, by pressing on cheek area.
  • Mandible (Jawbone): Defines jawline contour.
  • Orbital (Eye Sockets): Impacts eye makeup corrections.
  • Temporal (Temples): Can be contoured for a slimmer face.

Facial Profile Types (regarding shape)

• Straight: Ideal, forehead and chin aligned.
• Convex: Forehead & chin recede, middle of face more prominent.
• Concave: Forehead and chin are prominent, middle of face set back.

Oval Face Proportions

• Ideal Face Shape:
• Width = 5 eye lengths.
• Minimal contouring/highlighting is needed.

Blush Application

• General guidelines: Apply from outer cheek to center; use imaginary lines from pupils and the base of the nose to determine placement.
• Different application for different face shapes:
  • Long/Narrow Face: Apply horizontally at cheekbone to add width.
  • Short/Round Face: Apply in a diagonal/triangular shape to lengthen.
  • Square Face: Circular application to soften edges.
  • Heart Face: Square blush placement below cheekbones.
  • Pear Face: Blush low on cheeks, blend up and out toward hairline.

Lighting & Makeup

• Different light sources affect makeup perception.
• Adjust color choices accordingly.

Eye Makeup & Corrections

• 5 Points of Eye Analysis: Size, shape, spacing, balance (visibility of lid, crease, and brow bone), color.
• Corrective techniques:
  • Close-Set Eyes: Light shades inside, dark outside, extend liner outward.
  • Wide-Set Eyes: Dark shades inside, light outside, bring brows closer.
  • Deep-Set Eyes: Light on lids, dark in crease, avoid upper liner.
  • Protruding Eyes: Matte, dark shades, minimal shimmer.
  • Hooded Eyes: Dark on hood, highlight brow bone.

Eyebrows & Corrections

• 3 Key Brow Points: Start (inner corner), Arch (above iris), End (diagonal from nostril to outer corner of eye).
• Corrections:
  • Round Brow Start: Makes forehead wider, eyes appear farther apart.
  • Square Brow Start: Slenderizes nose, brings eyes closer.
  • Long Nose: Brows farther apart, arch further out.
  • Short Nose: Angular brows to create length.
  • Wide Nose: Brows closer together with square start.
  • Narrow Nose: Brows farther apart with rounded start.

Key Qualities of a Successful Makeup Artist

• Artistic Skill: Ability to enhance features.
• Client Engagement: Knowledge of trends & product recommendations.
• Observation Skills: Assessing client's best features, skin type, tone, face shape, and problem areas.

Explore the fundamental concepts of color theory, including hue, intensity, and value. Learn about primary and secondary colors, color combinations, and how different colors complement various skin tones. This quiz will enhance your understanding of color dynamics and their practical applications.